Visual Voicemail Method for Managing Deleted Messages

ABSTRACT

A method for managing visual voicemail messages includes displaying a list of voicemail messages on a telecommunications handset, receiving user commands for operating on the voicemail messages including a delete message command and in response to a delete message command, marking a voicemail message for deletion with a delete timestamp and moving the voicemail message to a Deleted Messages folder. A Deleted Message Age Indicator function processes to control permanent deletion of voicemail messages in the Deleted Messages folder based on delete timestamps and a global Delete Time value in cooperation with a visual voicemail platform.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/543,155, filed Nov. 17, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/688,501, filed Nov. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,917,824, issued on Dec. 23, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/336,083, filed Dec. 16, 2008, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,369,840, issued on Feb. 5, 2013, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed technology broadly relates to the management of voicemailmessages and, more particularly relates to visual techniques formanaging voicemail messages.

Visual voicemail—the use of visual techniques to manage voicemailmessages—adds a visual aspect to phone voicemail. For example visualvoicemail allows users to view a list of audio voicemail entries on adisplay screen inbox that includes visual indicators specifying whetherthe messages are new, urgent, saved, not yet heard, etc. The iPhone™ byApple, Inc. is a multimedia smartphone with a multi-touch screen and avirtual keyboard rendered by the multi-touch screen that provides, amongother features, visual voicemail. On the iPhone™, visual voicemail letsyou see a list of your messages and choose which ones to listen to ordelete, without having to listen to prior messages or instructions.

Conventionally, visual voicemail clients synchronize with a voicemailplatform to update the status of messages between the client andvoicemail platform. Messages currently are deleted from the displayedinbox and moved into a deleted messages folder. Where there are nodeleted messages, there is no deleted messages folder displayed. FIG. 1depicts a visual voicemail screenshot where only one voicemail messageis listed. There are no deleted messages and therefore no deletedmessages folder presented/displayed. FIG. 2 depicts a visual voicemailscreenshot where several voicemail messages are listed, including adeleted messages folder in which deleted messages are stored prior tosystem deletion by the visual voicemail platform.

Subscribers use the deleted messages folder as secondary storage for oldmessages (they have the messages out of the displayed inbox). At thatpoint in time, the subscriber believes that the messages that are in thedeleted folder messages are in fact deleted. However, the messages inthe deleted folder can be recovered from the deleted messages folder andplaced back into the voicemail inbox. Messages stored in the deletedmessages folder remain on the voicemail platform until they expire dueto age, typically in 30 days. These expired messages are thensynchronized between the visual voicemail client and voicemail platformby being deleted from both places. This current method places a burdenon the voicemail platform as it is has to store messages that will bedeleted as they expire due to age.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings identified above are addressed by a visual voicemailsystem and method for managing deleted messages for visual voicemailsubscribers. In one embodiment of the disclosed technology, the user ofa visual voicemail platform can determine when messages in the deletefolder will be deleted from the phone and the platform, thereby reducingthe amount of memory needed to store message that previously remained inmemory until a system determined time had passed.

In one embodiment, a method for managing visual voicemail messagesincludes displaying a list of voicemail messages on a telecommunicationshandset; receiving user commands for operating on the voicemail messagesincluding a delete message command; in response to a delete messagecommand, marking a voicemail message for deletion with a deletetimestamp and moving the voicemail message to a Deleted Messages folder;and processing by a Deleted Message Age Indicator function to controlpermanent deletion of voicemail messages in the Deleted Messages folderbased on the delete timestamp and a global Delete Time value incooperation with a visual voicemail platform.

The processing by the Deleted Message Age Indicator function includesproviding the voicemail platform access to delete timestamps of messagesin the Deleted Messages folder during a synchronization operation.Processing by the Deleted Message Age Indicator function can occur atthe telecommunications handset, and/or at the visual voicemail platform.The method includes preconfiguring the visual voicemail platform with aglobal Delete Time value. Processing by the Deleted Message AgeIndicator function at the telecommunications handset enables the handsetto override, extend or shorten the global Delete Time value. The DeletedMessage Age Indicator function cooperates with the visual voicemailplatform to delete messages with timestamps that equal the global DeleteTime value. While the global Delete Time value may be configured as anytime, it is preferably configured as five (5) days, which may be resetby the user handset.

A computer readable medium encoded with computer program instructionsfor managing visual voicemail messages implements a method includingdisplaying a list of voicemail messages on a telecommunications handset;receiving user commands for operating on the displayed voicemailmessages including a delete message command; in response to a deletemessage command, marking a voicemail message for deletion with a deletetimestamp and moving the voicemail message to a Deleted Messages folder;and processing by a Deleted Message Age Indicator function to controlpermanent deletion of the voicemail message in the Deleted Messagesfolder based on the delete timestamp and a global Delete Time value incooperation with a visual voicemail platform.

In another embodiment, a visual voicemail message management systemincludes a server including a processor and a memory, wherein theprocessor operates a visual voicemail management platform. Thetelecommunications handset comprises an interactive display fordisplaying a list of voicemail messages stored in the handset thatallows a handset user to input commands for operating on the displayedvoicemail messages, a memory for storing voicemail messages and aprocessor for responding to the commands and operating on voicemailmessages. The visual voicemail management system operates a DeletedMessage Age Indicator function that monitors an age of voicemailmessages stored in the handset memory and permanently deletes voicemailthose messages whose age equals a global Delete Time value. The handsetprocessor is adapted to respond to a command to delete a displayedvoicemail message by tagging the message with a delete timestamp andmoving the message into the Deleted Messages folder. The Deleted MessageAge Indicator function is controlled by the processor on thetelecommunications handset, or alternatively controlled by the processoroperating the visual voicemail platform. The server and processoroperating the visual voicemail platform are preconfigured with a globalDelete Time value. Preferably, the telecommunications handset is adaptedto override, extend or shorten a global Delete Time value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Aspects of the disclosed technology will become apparent upon readingthe following detailed description and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings in which, like references may indicate similarelements:

FIG. 1 is a screenshot of a conventional visual voice mail inboxdisplay;

FIG. 2 is a screenshot of a conventional visual voicemail inbox displaywhere deleted messages are stored in a deleted messages folder;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram description of a visual voicemailmessage management system in accordance with the disclosed technology;

FIG. 4 is a method for managing visual voicemail messages in accordancewith the disclosed technology; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of architecture for implementing themethod and system of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the disclosed technology provides for managing visualvoicemail messages displayed or listed in a user device, such as atelecommunication handset, for example, on a display screen of asmartphone such as the iPhone™ by Apple, Inc. It should be noted,however, that the disclosed technology is intended for use with anytelecommunication handset that supports visual voicemail, i.e., visualvoicemail screen graphics, and is not intended to be limited toapplications for an iPhone™ by Apple, Inc. In accordance with one aspectof the disclosed technology, the user may determine the age at whichmessages are deleted from the user device and the platform. The user maydelete voicemail messages from the displayed list of voicemail messages,which are then moved to a Deleted Messages folder. The disclosedtechnology creates and operates a Deleted Messages Age Indicatorfunction to monitor the age of voicemail messages stored in the DeletedMessages folder. Deleted message are stored in the Deleted Messagesfolder in association with a delete time stamp. The delete time stampindicates the time at which the message was put in the delete folder

The function deletes such stored messages permanently when it determinesby the time stamp that a message has reached a global Delete Time value.The Deleted Message Age Indicator function synchronizes with thevoicemail platform controlling the handset voicemail, including sharingdeleted message timestamps with the platform during synchronizationoperations. The Deleted Message Age Indicator function can beimplemented by a processor operating the visual voicemail platform(i.e., at the server), or by a processor operating at thetelecommunications handset.

The function operates based on the global Delete Time value, but beforethe original or conventional aged expiration timer has elapsed. When theuser, i.e., the handset, synchronizes with the voicemail platform, thevoicemail platform reviews messages in the deleted messages folder andcompares their associated time stamp with the global Delete Time valuein association with the Deleted Message Age Indicator function. Theglobal Delete Time value is programmable in the handset, which enablesthe handset to determine how the age of messages in the Deleted Messagesfolder, and to permanently delete messages. Master control of thisvalue, however, is preferably controlled by the voicemail platform,allowing the service provider to better manage the network resourcesrequired to support voicemail messages.

An embodiment of the disclosed technology for managing visual voicemailmessages (300) is now described with reference to FIG. 3. Terminator(310) indicates a start of the method, and a block (320) defines a stepof displaying a list of voicemail messages on a telecommunicationshandset. For example, the voicemail messages can be displayed in ahandset inbox, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 herein. A block (330)defines a step of receiving user commands for operating on the voicemailmessages, including a delete message command. A handset user inputscommands to manipulate voicemail messages in the displayed list, forexample, play, delete, undelete, etc.

At block (340) the following steps are taken: in response to a deletemessage command, marking a voicemail message for deletion with a deletetimestamp, and moving the voicemail message to a Deleted Messagesfolder. The Deleted Messages folder icon is only displayed after adelete message command. For example, there are no deleted messages inthe handset display of FIG. 1, but at least one message has been deletedfrom the inbox list displayed in FIG. 2, as indicated by the DeletedMessages folder icon. A block (350) defines a step or act of processingby a Deleted Message Age Indicator function to control permanentdeletion of the voicemail message in the Deleted Messages folder basedon that message's delete timestamp and a global Delete Time value incooperation with a visual voicemail platform. They program ends atterminator (360).

The processing by the Deleted Message Age Indicator function can includeproviding the voicemail system access to timestamps of messages in theDeleted Messages folder during a synchronization operation, and may beimplemented on the telecommunications handset or the server operatingthe visual voicemail platform.

The method includes that the visual voicemail platform is preconfiguredwith a global Delete Time value, and deletes message from the DeletedMessages folder when it identifies that the message age reaches theglobal Delete Time value. While the global Delete Time value may beconfigured as any time, it is preferably configured as five (5) days,which may be reset by the user handset. That is, the processing by theDeleted Message Age Indicator function enables the telecommunicationshandset to set, override, extend or shorten the global Delete Timevalue. The method for managing visual voicemail messages may be encodedwithin a set of computer program instructions stored on a computerreadable medium, where a processor can access and process the storedinstructions to execute the method.

A visual voicemail message management system (400) is now described withreference to FIG. 4. System (400) includes a visual voicemail managementplatform/server (410) that is shown in communication with atelecommunications handset (425). In FIG. 4, the handset is depicted asa cell phone in radio communication by link (430) with a servercomprising the visual voicemail platform (410). Communication link (430)may be implemented by any known technology without deviating from thescope and spirit of the invention, for example, by the architecturedepicted in FIG. 5, described below.

Telecommunications handset (425) includes an interactive display (427)for displaying a list of voicemail messages received and stored by thehandset, such as those disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thetelecommunications handset and interactive display are constructed toallow a user to input commands for performing operations on displayedvoicemail messages, including a delete message command. A processor(429) is included in the handset for responding to user commands byexecuting operations on voicemail messages stored in the handset. Thevisual voicemail management system (400) operates a Deleted Message AgeIndicator function that monitors an age of voicemail messages stored ina Deleted Messages folder and permanently deletes any voicemail messagestored therein upon determining that its age equals a global DeleteTime.

During system operation, processor (429) responds to a command to deletea displayed voicemail message by tagging the message with a deletetimestamp and moving the message into the Deleted Messages folder. TheDeleted Message Age Indicator function may be controlled by theprocessor (429) in the telecommunications handset (425), or by aprocessor (412) operating within the visual voicemail platform/server(410).

The Deleted Message Age Indicator function synchronizes the visualvoicemail platform/server (410) with Deleted Messages folder, allowingthe visual voicemail platform to access message timestamps forcomparison with the global Delete Time value. Initialchecking/synchronization are not required from the voicemail platform,therefore, as same may be initiated by the user via thetelecommunications handset. The visual voicemail platform/server (410)is configured with a global Delete Time value that defines the date atwhich messages stored in the Deleted Messages folder are permanentlydeleted. Preferably, the telecommunications handset is adapted tooverride, extend or shorten a global Delete Time value.

Referring now to FIG. 5, architecture (500) for operating with thesystem and method for managing deleted messages for visual voicemailsubscribers is now described. Visual voicemail platform/server (410)provides the functionality for visual voicemail management describedherein. Visual voicemail platform/server (410) accesses messages storedin voicemail store (505) and made available via voicemail system (505).Visual voicemail platform/server (410) and voicemail system (505) areconnected to a local area network, or LAN (520). LAN (520) facilitatescommunication between visual voicemail platform/server (410) andvoicemail system (505) using any known communication protocol such asHTTP, IMAP4, XML, SMPP, without limitation, or any combination thereof.A handset (which may be a cell phone 425) communicates with visualvoicemail platform/server (410) using a communication protocol such asHTTP, to receive information about voicemail messages and to initiaterequests for playback and management of such messages under usercontrol.

As shown, such communication takes place where the handset (425)communicates wirelessly via wireless antenna (530) to a wireless datanetwork (535) and over the Internet (540) using well-known digitalcommunication techniques. Handset (425) also is shown in communicationwith wireless voice network (545) and Public Switched Telephone Network,PSTN (550) via known techniques for mobile telephone implementation.Conventional dial-in to voicemail system (505) is facilitated via voicenetwork (545) and PSTN (550), although in some situations such dial-inmay be rendered unnecessary in view of the direct digital communicationcapability between handset (425) and the visual voicemail platform(410), where it comprises a server. The visual voicemail system (505)and method (300) are capable of operation in connection with legacy andIP based networks (legacy and standards-based voicemail, etc.) usingIP/VOIP/SIP/MAPI/IMAP/PIMAP and/or other standards and protocols.

In both the system and method embodiments, a deleted message agedindicator checks the age of messages in a deleted message folder, whenthere are deleted messages stored therein. Once messages are deleted,the deleted message age indicator is checked by the visual voicemailplatform/server (410) during message synchronization, which sharesdeleted message timestamps with the visual voicemail platform. Thevisual voicemail platform can delete the messages based on the globaldelete time value but before the original aged expiration timer elapsed,as distinguished from known operation.

The deleted message age indicator is programmable on the visualvoicemail platform. In addition, the subscriber may adjust the time forthe deleted message age indicator at the subscriber handset In thiscase, initial checking/synchronization between the subscriber handsetand visual voicemail platform is not be required from the voicemailplatform as it is initiated by the subscriber handset. Under someoperating conditions, however, master control of deleted message ageindicator is set (controlled) by the voicemail platform to allow theservice provider to better manage the network resources required tosupport voicemail messages.

The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in everyrespect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scopeof the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from theDetailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpretedaccording to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to beunderstood that the embodiments shown and described herein are onlyillustrative of the principles of the present invention and that variousmodifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled inthe art could implement various other feature combinations withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining an age of avoicemail message based on a delete timestamp associated with the voicemail message; determining whether the age of the voicemail message hasreached a global delete time value; and permanently deleting thevoicemail message in response to determining that the age of the voicemail message has reached the global delete time value.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: determining that the voicemail message hasbeen marked for deletion by a user; and accessing the voicemail messagein a voicemail store.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the accessing isa step of a synchronization process between a visual voicemail platformand the voicemail store.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:preconfiguring the global delete time value.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the global delete time value is selected by the user.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the global delete time value is selectedbased on network resources required to support voicemail messages. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a delete messagecommand related to the voice mail message; and marking the voicemailmessage for deletion with the delete timestamp.
 8. An apparatuscomprising: a processor; and a memory to store computer programinstructions, the computer program instructions when executed on theprocessor cause the processor to perform operations comprising:determining an age of a voicemail message based on a delete timestampassociated with the voice mail message; determining whether the age ofthe voicemail message has reached a global delete time value; andpermanently deleting the voicemail message in response to determiningthat the age of the voice mail message has reached the global deletetime value.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, the operations furthercomprising: determining that the voicemail message has been marked fordeletion by a user; and accessing the voicemail message in a voicemailstore.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the accessing is a step ofa synchronization process between a visual voicemail platform and thevoicemail store.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, the operations furthercomprising: preconfiguring the global delete time value.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the global delete time value is selectedby the user.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the global deletetime value is selected based on network resources required to supportvoicemail messages.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, the operations furthercomprising: receiving a delete message command related to the voice mailmessage; and marking the voicemail message for deletion with the deletetimestamp.
 15. A computer readable medium storing computer programinstructions, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processorto perform operations comprising: determining an age of a voicemailmessage based on a delete timestamp associated with the voice mailmessage; determining whether the age of the voicemail message hasreached a global delete time value; and permanently deleting thevoicemail message in response to determining that the age of the voicemail message has reached the global delete time value.
 16. The computerreadable medium of claim 15, the operations further comprising:determining that the voicemail message has been marked for deletion by auser; and accessing the voicemail message in a voicemail store.
 17. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the accessing is a step ofa synchronization process between a visual voicemail platform and thevoicemail store.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, theoperations further comprising: preconfiguring the global delete timevalue.
 19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the globaldelete time value is selected by the user.
 20. The computer readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the global delete time value is selectedbased on network resources required to support voicemail messages.